City need protection

Refereeing decisions are set to be the theme of yet another season for Manchester City.

Pep Guardiola was left dismayed by some of the calls that went against his side last term, while City fans would claim there is something darker afoot.

Without getting into the ‘anti City agenda’ nonsense, officials are going to have to start protecting Guardiola’s players or more and more games are going to be dominated by talk of refereeing controversies.

Fans of all clubs believe they are victimised. But Guardiola has built a team full of players to who like to keep hold of the ball in confined areas.

They are the sort of players who infuriate and panic defenders, who will be tempted to lunge in.